Lazio says he's moving toward run

Published: Monday, May 24, 1999

WASHINGTON {AP} Rep. Rick Lazio, R-N.Y., said Sunday he is moving toward a Senate run in 2000, and challenged the qualifications of two well-known figures considering the race: Hillary Rodham Clinton and GOP Mayor Rudolph Giuliani of New York.

"I'm inching closer and closer," Lazio, in his fourth term from Long Island, said on ABC's "This Week." He said he would be a strong candidate because "I think I've been a good legislator, because I stand for the right values."

Aides to Mrs. Clinton have said she is likely to form an exploratory campaign committee in June, an important step in deciding whether to seek the seat held by retiring Democratic Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

The first lady scheduled a trip today to New York for a book party for Matilda Cuomo, the wife of former Gov. Mario Cuomo, D-N.Y. She also was to attend a dinner for Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., who plans to run for Moynihan's seat if Mrs. Clinton decides not to enter the race.

Lowey, interviewed with Lazio, said the first lady's decision will be "sooner rather than later." The one certainty, Lowey said, was that "the next senator from New York will be a woman."

But Lazio said Mrs. Clinton, who never has lived in New York, is not qualified to represent the state.

Lazio joked that "she needs an exploratory committee to find Elmira" and, as a native of Illinois, roots for the Chicago Cubs over the New York Mets.

Lazio was equally critical of Giuliani, who has formed an exploratory committee to raise and spend money while he decides whether to run.

"I think he is a reluctant Republican. I think he is the wrong candidate." Lazio said.